The same cars, sourced from Japan
A Japanese import is exactly what it sounds like - a car that was originally sold in Japan, then brought over to the UK. In most cases these are the same models sold here, with the same spec and the same insurance groups. Mechanically, there's nothing unusual about them.
Why they're often a good buy
Japan has a strict vehicle inspection system (called "shaken") that means cars are well maintained and roadworthy. Because of how cars are used and taxed in Japan, many imports also have genuinely low mileage for their age. And every car goes through an independent inspection at auction, giving a standardised condition grade - so you get an honest, third-party assessment of the car's condition.
The things to be aware of
We believe in being straight with you, so here's the honest side. A Japanese import will usually have a shorter UK history (since it spent its early life in Japan), and its documents originate in Japanese - an English translation is provided for UK registration. None of this is a problem, but it's why we always recommend coming to see the car in person and asking us anything.
How we verify the mileage
One of the most reassuring documents that comes with a Japanese import is its export certificate. In plain terms, it's the car's official passport - issued by the Japanese government, proving the car was legally deregistered in Japan and cleared for export.
Crucially, it records the car's mileage from Japan's official roadworthiness inspections over time. That gives a documented paper trail of the genuine mileage - which is exactly how we verify that a car's odometer reading is real and hasn't been tampered with. The certificate also confirms the car's identity (chassis number, model, engine) and first registration date.
An honest tip
Always check a Japanese import comes with its export documentation. If a seller is vague about the paperwork, that can be a sign of an unclear history. We provide it as standard.